English

SECURE SWORD .

PRAYER OF THE TEMPLARS

Groaning in Gethsemane, —
Crowned from lordan's thorny tree, —
Scourged, alas! with Roman lash,
Gory streams from every gash, —
Mocked with purple robe and reed, —
Nailed, and dying, — Master , heed,
And hear the T EMPLARS' PRAYER !

Now on high-exalted throne,
See T HY Templars marching on!
May we feel T HY presence near,
May we never, never tear!
Though we linger, though we bleed,

RETURN SWORD .

Perish every sword in rust,
Crumble, emblems, into dust,
Be our very flag accursed,
And our names forgot,
Ere we draw in evil strife, —
Ere we use in evil life, —
Ere we flauni where sin is rife,
And the Lord is not!

Templars, thorny was the road
That the Man OF S ORROWS trod,
But, returning back to God,
Peace H E left, and love:
Follow peace! the way is short,

SIR KNIGHT, RISE .

Would we, Sir Knights, be freed from care, —
The storm cloud vanishes in prayer:
One true petition, fervent, deep,
Is, to the soul, refreshing sleep;
Prayer animates the arm and heart;
Prayer points anew the Templar's dart;
And binds his powers in sweet accord
To do the bidding of the Lord.

REST ON SWORD .

Rejected , — H E who came to save,
Despised , — the Lord of all,
Embittered in H IS very grave
With wormwood and with gall:
A man of sorrows, and acquaint
With grief's most agonizing plaint.

SIR KNIGHT, KNEEL .

Knee , in worship at the throne
Where E MMANUEL rules alone,
And the service of the tongue ,
By celestial chorus sung, —
" Glory in the highest be,
Peace, good will eternally! "

SWORD-ARM REST .

When J ESUS doth marshal
His ranks in accord,
He blesses each sword
With Justice impartial,
With Valor undaunted,
With Mercy adored: —
What Templar can falter
When C HRIST is his Lord ?

CHARGE SWORD .

Speed the spoil, the booty hasten,
Templars charge along the lines!
See the opposing forces shaken,
Victory to us inclines!
Innocent maidens, helpless orphans,
Widows destitute, forlorn,
Will you leave them all to scorn?
By the power of Christ's religion,
Templars charge, nor be forsworn.

ORDER SWORD .

But who is this, in humble weeds, with Cross and Cord and Scrip,
This man impetuous, resolved to share our fellowship?
With " pure ablutions " thoroughly washed, with " patience sorely tried, "
Waiting to have instructions from the one unerring Guide !

Welcome the stranger, — give him bread, — his water cruse supply;
Cheer him with comfortable words; his tears of weakness dry;
'Tis written in Heaven's Chancery that they who help the poor

PORT SWORD .

To the ardent Pilgrims journeying from afar,
Warriors enlisted in jesus' Holy War,
'Neath the Cross the sacred Word ,
Speaks the one effulgent L ORD .
Purged from slavery and sin,
I N H OC S IGNO , we come in;
Open, Warder, at the gate,
Wide to admit this conquering Band!

SUPPORT SWORD .

Embattled hosts are pressing
Along the serried line,
Their venomed darts distressing
The Guardians of the Shrine .
Support , brave Knights, with dauntless mind!
What though the foemen's banner flaunt!
Little we reck, upon the wind,
Blasphemous word and taunt!